New Orleans is an American cultural center. When it comes to eating, many places offer fantastic food and authentic backdrops where you can taste authentic Cajun foods intertwined with French influences. Combining music, history, food, and cocktails makes for amazing restaurant experiences. From carnival-like decor to inventive food presentations, these places excel in their creativity and uniqueness.
Antoine’s Restaurant
Antoine’s is New Orleans’ oldest restaurant. Since 1840, it has been operated by the same family, which is now on its fifth generation of passion for French-Creole culinary traditions. This is one of the most fun restaurants in New Orleans because it truly takes you to the heart of the city’s culture.
This beloved establishment is the birthplace of famous dishes like Oysters Rockefeller and Eggs Sardou, a twist on eggs benny that reflects the heritage of Louisiana culinary culture. Tuck into shrimp Creole with onion rice and Antoine’s Creole sauce, or indulge in a plate of juicy, fresh oysters. Soak up the historic decor while you enjoy delicious fare, and let Antoine’s take you on the journey through time.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is a bar inside of an 18-century building. The venue has simple and affordable drinks, perfect for those who are traveling on a tighter budget and still want to have a good time in a classic venue in the city.
Located down Bourbon Street, this cottage-like, brick house looks like a pirate’s layer. It has a rustic vibe to it, with candlelight and worn-down furniture. At 300-years old, it is an American landmark and definitely one of the most fun restaurants in New Orleans.
The bar is far from the touristy French Quarter center so you can find some peace and a unique aesthetic and experience here. Photo credit: Yair Haklai
Café Lafitte in Exile
Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest still running gay bar in the United States. Open since the end of the Prohibition Era in 1933, this bar is a favorite haunt for many New Orleans locals and returning visitors. This is the perfect spot for those who like to party and drink in the middle of the historic French Quarter.
Divided into two floors with outside seating, Café Lafitte in Exile will let you enjoy exclusive views of Mardi Gras and any other celebrations that go down Bourbon Street. Also, you can watch football games from the outdoor picture screen in the French Quarter, all while sipping on a cocktail at the upstairs terrace.
Commander’s Palace
With a turquoise and white striped decor, Commander’s Palace offers some of the best Creole food in New Orleans. Given its vibrant colors and welcoming staff, it is one of the most fun restaurants in the city.
The food here is fresh and prepared with a lot of creativity. One simple example from the menu is a Prosecco poached jumbo lump crab over a spiced New Roads pecan-crusted fish. It comes with roasted corn, asparagus, grilled kale, and melted leeks with whiskey-spiked crushed corn cream.
Beachbum Berry’s
Do you know those delicious and complex rum-based cocktails that are served inside mask-shaped glasses? That’s Tiki, a drinking culture created by a man named Jerry ‘Beachbum’ Berry. At Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, created by Berry himself, you can sample the classics that made Tiki culture so famous.
This is definitely one of the most fun restaurants in New Orleans, located right in the heart of the French Quarter. All drinks are delicious and colorful, perfect for an Instagram picture.
Dat Dog
With three locations around New Orleans, Dat Dog is a simple venue that offers some of the best hot dogs in America. Their goal is to provide delicious and affordable food, combining the soul of Louisiana ingredients and flavors with the sophistication of European cuisine.
The fun part is that you get to build your very own dream hot dog. Pair traditional, fish, or vegan sausages with over 30 toppings. They also have juicy burgers and fried chicken tossed in buffalo sauce. We’d dare to say Dat Dog is a must-try in New Orleans.
Napoleon House
Napoleon House mirrors the French influences in New Orleans. The building, built 200 years ago as a refuge townhouse for Napoleon Bonaparte, now houses one of the most famous bars in the city. Peeling plaster walls filled with paintings and photographs, exposed beams, and a spacious lounge make up the ideal scenery for a bohemian photoshoot.
Order some of the classics like boulevardiers, spritzes, and other aperitivos. Sit at a round table in the afternoon and feel like you’re part of a movie set, preferably where James Bond walks in wearing sunglasses and a button-down shirt.
Insider tip: Order the house Pimm’s Cup cocktail and pair it with a muffuletta sandwich.
Monkey Board
Monkey Board will give you the best Instagramable views of New Orleans. Colorful sofas and graffiti walls contrast with the views from the city. At this rooftop bar, you will find a lot of young adults having a good time with live music under the night sky.
Grab a house cocktail and nibble on some tacos. Chat with friends and meet strangers. Formerly known as Monkey Board, Ingenue offers you some of the best nightlife of NOLA, with creative and original cocktails, delicious food, and welcoming decor.
Muriel’s Jackson Square
Muriel’s Jackson Square offers Jazz Brunches on Sundays, with a live band playing as you indulge in classics like eggs benedict and pancakes, as well as Cajun twists on breakfast crowd-pleasers. Inside a restored corner building from the 1800s, you will find different rooms, each with a particular theme.
Grab a house-special cocktail at the Courtyard & Bar, then sit at the eclectic Séanse Lounge, with plush surroundings and jewel decor. Dine at the Bistrot and enjoy slow-cooked grits with Louisiana Gulf shrimp, leeks, tomato butter sauce, and garlic.
The Foundation Room
The Foundation Room is one of the most fun restaurants in New Orleans. It is a place where you can listen to live Blues music in a rich environment that takes you back to the soulful origins of the genre.
Order creative house cocktails or indulge in classic drinks. Eat voodoo shrimp, crispy chicken wings, jambalaya, and blackened salmon. Maybe go for a burger with fries or a mac n cheese skillet. Check the events calendar to see who will be playing, and prepare for a night of music, exceptional food, delicious drinks, and a lot of fun.
The Carousel Bar and & Lounge
The Carousel Bar & Lounge is one of the most famous and fun restaurants in New Orleans. With a carousel-shaped bar that completes a full spin every 15 minutes, this venue has become a cultural landmark in the city, where people sit on stools and watch as the bar swirls in front of them.
You can listen to live music and drink classic cocktails like Negronis and Sazeracs. If you’d like to try something different, order the Vieux Carre, a house special that is now served around the world.
Camila has lived in New York for over six years. Writing about food, drinks, and travel, she has moved around the city gathering tales, flavors, and restaurant recommendations for her fellow explorers. A lover of bars and baos, Camila can introduce you to the most famous and best-kept secrets of New York!